Just as I became the Emperor of Humanity, the system appeared?

Chapter 30: Rewarding Merit

Now that Li Ang has fully mastered the effects of the [Rotten Feast Spore Vessel], there's no point in keeping this Sahudin!

With a single glance from Li Ang, Steward Mike understood immediately, and the two palace guards on either side were about to drag Sahudin away and execute him!

"No! Don't kill me! Your Majesty! I'm still useful! I really am still useful!" Sahudin struggled and cried out, tears streaming down his face.

Two court warriors, expressionless and wielding cleavers, were ready to faithfully carry out orders!

At the critical moment, the Pope of the Corrupt Church in the far west used a secret method to send a message to Sahudin.

Sahudin waved his hands repeatedly and explained loudly, "Your Majesty! The Pope has sent me a message! According to the rules of the Church, if I don't reply in time, it means I have betrayed the Church or am dead!"

After some thought, Li Ang realized that keeping Sahudin in place for the time being could buy some time, at least preventing the Church of Corruption from immediately sending new [Webweavers] or even [Abyssbrouts]!

"Remember, say what you're supposed to say! If you utter anything I deem inappropriate, the court guards will chop you into mincemeat on the spot!"

Li Ang coldly reminded him.

Sahudin nodded repeatedly, cold sweat pouring down his face: "Your Majesty, please rest assured! I will deceive the Pope!"

Immediately, Sahudin established a secret connection with the Pope.

A faint voice suddenly echoed: "Sahuddin! What happened in the capital of Grant? What happened to the sacred relic in your hand, the [Rotten Feast Vessel]?"

Sahudin glanced at Li Ang and began to fabricate a story: "Reporting to the Pope! The sacred artifact has always been in my possession, but a golden dragon flew over the capital and its breath happened to land on the artifact! Dragons are the supreme race on the continent, and this golden dragon probably has the strength of an eighth-rank or higher!"

"The power of the dragon bloodline is unparalleled; I suspect it was tainted by dragon breath, causing the sacred artifact to undergo such a dramatic change!"

A long silence fell on the other end of the communication, as if the being far away in the west was processing this bizarre yet not entirely impossible message.

Dragons, especially golden dragons, are indeed legendary beings that transcend many mortal beings. It is understandable that their power clashes with the corrupted sacred objects.

After a long silence, the ethereal voice rang out again, carrying both an undeniable air of authority and a subtle hint of doubt: "After the sacred artifact's mutation, does it still retain its corrupting properties? Can the plan to destroy the capital's grain supplies continue?"

Sahudin immediately responded, "Your Holiness, the corruption and contamination of the holy relics can continue! It won't be long before the capital of Grant runs out of food!"

"Alright, continue the corruption! Once the plan is complete, return to the sect immediately! I need to conduct a comprehensive inspection and restoration of the sacred relic, the [Corrupted Feast Vessel]!"

After the Corruption Pope finished speaking, the arcane connection was severed.

Sahudin collapsed to the ground. This was the first time he had lied to the Pope, betraying the "Father of Corruption," and it made him feel terrible.

Li Ang nodded slightly: "Mike, imprison Sahudin in the palace dungeon! Have him monitored around the clock!"

Under the command of Steward Mike, several court guards dragged Sahudin away.

Sahudin was secretly delighted: "Finally, I don't have to die!"

Considering that Sahudin still has some use, Leon decided not to kill him for the time being.

Nidik, who participated in the attack on Flower Town, was indignant: "Your Majesty! This evil leader has done too many heinous things! They have harmed too many people in Flower Town with all sorts of cruel methods that are appalling! Their crimes are too numerous to count!"

Edmund suddenly shouted, "You scoundrel! How dare you speak to His Majesty the King like that?"

Realizing his lapse in decorum, Nidik quickly bowed and apologized, "Your Majesty, I was wrong! Please punish me!"

Li Ang waved his hand, his expression stern: "The temporary imprisonment of a high-ranking villain like Sahudin, who is utterly wicked, is merely to allow him to utilize his remaining value! Once that value is exhausted, he will be severely punished!"

With the upgrade of the [Golden Faith Godhood] system, Li Ang has countless ways to make these evil followers wish they were dead!

In his previous life, Li Ang was a seasoned gamer on Earth and knew some of the game's mechanics. Many people craved death, and certain entities in the game would cause some characters to be trapped in eternal suffering and sacrifice!

...................

With the matter of Sahudin temporarily settled, Leon looked up at Edmund and the others.

"Edmund, you have rendered a great service in capturing Sahudin! Previously, you won the 'Battle of the Warriors' against the Greenskins, but I did not reward you then! Now, I will reward you for both great achievements!"

"Issue the order to promote Edmund to hereditary earl of the kingdom, appoint him as the head of the Grand Council, and concurrently as the Deputy Minister of the Military Affairs Department of the Cabinet!"

Edmund's original title was merely that of an "ordinary" baron.

In the Kingdom of Grant, the total number of noble titles is fixed. Either the eldest son inherits the title from his ancestor, or a noble family rebels, commits crimes, or falls into ruin, leaving a vacancy before the title can be bestowed upon a new family.

The kingdom has accumulated thousands of meritorious families awaiting titles, including wealthy merchants, military families, and powerful civil officials.

A title of lord is enough to make many families fight tooth and nail for it.

This time, it just so happened that Count Torland of Flower Town had fallen into corruption, and Leon stripped him of his title and transferred it to Edmund.

Edmund was incredibly excited. He came from a fallen noble family, but thanks to Leon's appreciation and guidance, he became the commander of the Royal Capital Garrison and was promoted to Baron!

Now that his title has been elevated again, Edmund is utterly overjoyed.

Of course, the latter two honors were also rewards for holding official positions!

The Military Council is the most powerful agency under the Minister of War, Douglas. It has the authority to mobilize any 10,000-strong army unit within the kingdom, and core operational plans and military deployments originate from the Military Council.

The former head of the Military Affairs Bureau was Douglas's core subordinate, but now Li Ang has dismissed him for poor performance!

As for the Deputy Minister of Military Affairs, he is simply a replacement for the position of "Minister of Military Affairs" in the capital!

Douglas, who was serving as Secretary of State for the Armed Forces in the West, was now following Prime Minister Tobias in this reshuffle, which effectively meant he was handing the position to Edmund.

Manager Mike clicked his tongue and exclaimed, "A meteoric rise!"

"Edmund, from this day forward, will be a pillar of the kingdom's military!"

Faced with such a generous reward, Edmund was moved to tears, his loyalty burning like a raging fire.

His loyalty to Li Ang, silently and unexpectedly, broke through the limit and reached an unprecedented peak: 100 points of loyalty!

A crisp system notification sound rang out leisurely deep within Li Ang's mind:

"Ding dong, congratulations host! You have gained your first loyal subordinate!"